LA Kings - Head Athletic Trainer

AEG Worldwide•El Segundo, CA

2h•$200,000 - $230,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Los Angeles Kings are seeking a highly experienced and dedicated Head Athletic Trainer who will be integral to the daily management of player health and wellness. This individual will serve as a key member within a team of professionals that is committed to inspiring leadership, and consistent, long-term excellence in both on-and off-ice operations. They will be asked to lead the day-to-day delivery of athletic training services for our NHL roster. This individual will serve as the primary point of contact for player health and wellness, injury evaluation, treatment, and prevention. This position reports directly to the Director of Player Health and Performance, while collaborating closely with team physicians, athletic trainers, physical therapists, performance staff, and coaching personnel to optimize the health and availability of all players throughout the season and offseason.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Athletic Training or related field
BOC certification (ATC)
Current California state licensure or eligibility
Minimum 8+ years of professional or elite collegiate athletic training experience
Demonstrated experience working within a high-performance, multidisciplinary sports environment
Proven ability to lead and coordinate care across medical, performance, and coaching staff
CPR/AED/First Aid certification
Proficiency with electronic medical record (EMR) systems
Ability to make independent, high-stakes medical decisions in fast-paced, live competition environments
Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust with elite athletes and collaborate across all levels of the organization
Ability to translate complex medical information into actionable insights for coaches and hockey operations
Demonstrated leadership in mentoring and developing staff
High level of discretion and professionalism in handling confidential medical information
Strong organizational and operational management skills, including budgeting, logistics, and travel coordination
Commitment to continuous learning and innovation in sports medicine and performance

Nice To Haves

Previous NHL or professional hockey experience
Prior experience in a Head Athletic Trainer or senior leadership role
Advanced certifications (e.g., CSCS, PES, manual therapy, ART, dry needling where applicable)
Strong understanding of hockey-specific injury patterns and return-to-play protocols
Experience integrating sports science and load monitoring data into player management
Experience managing concussion protocols and post-surgical rehabilitation at the elite level
Familiarity with NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), IR/LTIR processes, and league medical protocols
Experience coordinating specialist care, imaging, and surgical pathways for professional athletes
Exposure to international competition or high-performance global sport environments
Experience with GPS/wearable technologies and athlete monitoring systems

Responsibilities

Assist with the implementation of comprehensive injury prevention protocols in collaboration with the rehabilitation and strength and conditioning staff
Conduct individualized assessments to identify and mitigate injury risk factors
Manage all pre-game and practice preparation
Serve as the primary emergency medical responder responder for training and competition
Ensure all game day medical operations align with NHL and LA Kings protocols
Provide immediate on-ice and bench-side evaluation and first aid for all acute injuries during games and practices
Provide exceptional manual and restorative therapy to all players.
Assist with player monitoring and recovery programs.
Assist in the development of individualized rehabilitation programs for injured players in coordination with team physicians and the athletic medicine staff
Participate in the return-to-play process, ensuring players are cleared according to established medical and performance benchmarks
Serve as the primary liaison between players, team physicians, and the Director of Player Health and Performance regarding all medical matters
Coordinate specialist referrals, imaging, and surgical consultations as directed by team physicians
Maintain timely and accurate communication with coaching staff regarding player availability and health status
Work in collaboration with the equipment department to ensure efficient and optimized team travel team travel
Maintain confidential and thorough medical records for all players in accordance with HIPAA, NHL, and organizational policies
Manage the athletic training room operations including equipment, supplies inventory, and budget oversight
Ensure full compliance with all NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement provisions related to player health and medical services
Manage the anti-doping program in accordance with NHL/NHLPA Drug Testing Agreement requirements
Supervise and mentor assistant athletic trainers and support staff within the player health department
Collaborate with AHL affiliate athletic training staff to ensure continuity of care and organizational standards across all levels
Identify and define areas of improvement in existing operations and practices, with a focus on injury management and prevention.
Effectively and purposefully communicate with all Hockey Operations colleagues, with a focus on transparency, professionalism, and excellence.
Build and support effective cross-departmental relationships
Contribute to the ongoing development and evolution of the Kings’ integrated health and performance model